“I think very often decisions are taken by government – such as on the vaccination [for babies] that is already in place – and it is very easy to think that that’s a job done.

“But actually we need to continue to look to see how we can ensure that we don’t see these deaths from meningitis in the future.”

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Ms McCarthy, speaking after PMQs, said she had been disappointed the PM did not go further – especially as she had looked to avoid “political point scoring” by giving Number 10 sight of the question beforehand.

“Despite me giving her advance notice, she would only talk about awareness and not vaccinations, which is what is needed to save lives,” said the backbench MP.